Neck Lake

A Neck Lake, also known as a pothole lake or kettle lake, is a depression in the ground created after the retreat of a glacier or ice sheet, subsequently filled with water. The term "neck" isn't a universally adopted or recognized geological term in this context; "kettle lake" or "pothole lake" are the more common and accepted terms within geological and limnological literature. However, "Neck Lake" could colloquially refer to a small, narrow, and elongated lake resembling a neck in its geographical shape, although this usage is not standard. The formation process typically involves a block of ice left behind as the glacier recedes. Sediments and debris are then deposited around the ice block. When the ice block eventually melts, it leaves a depression or a "kettle" which then fills with precipitation, groundwater, or surface runoff, forming the lake.

Kettle lakes are generally small in size, often less than a kilometer in diameter, and vary significantly in depth. Their water quality can range from oligotrophic (nutrient-poor) to eutrophic (nutrient-rich), depending on the surrounding geology, land use, and inflow of organic matter. Because they are often fed primarily by precipitation and groundwater, they are often sensitive to changes in climate and land management practices.

The sediments in kettle lakes can preserve a valuable record of past environmental conditions, including changes in vegetation, climate, and water quality. Researchers use sediment cores from these lakes to reconstruct past environments and to understand the long-term impacts of environmental change.

Kettle lakes provide important habitat for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial organisms. They are often surrounded by wetlands, which further enhance their ecological value.